Soyuz TMA-6 was a crewed spaceflight mission launched on April 15, 2005, as part of the Russian space program, ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). The spacecraft was an upgraded version of the Soyuz series, with Soyuz TMA-6 being tailored for ISS missions. This particular mission was part of Expedition 11, carrying an international crew to the ISS, where they would conduct a long-term stay and perform a variety of scientific research.
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The Soyuz Program
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All The Soyuz Missions In Order
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Mission Overview
Launch and Docking: Soyuz TMA-6 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan and successfully docked with the ISS on April 17, 2005. The crew joined the existing crew aboard the station to form Expedition 11.
Mission Duration: The mission lasted approximately 179 days. During their stay aboard the ISS, Krikalev and Phillips conducted numerous scientific experiments, maintained the station, and performed public outreach activities to highlight the benefits of space research.
Scientific Research: The crew conducted research in various areas, including biotechnology, Earth observation, physics experiments, and space station maintenance. The mission also involved monitoring the health of astronauts during long-term spaceflight, contributing to studies on how microgravity affects the human body.
Return to Earth: Krikalev and Phillips returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TMA-6 on October 11, 2005. They landed safely in Kazakhstan after a successful deorbit and descent.
Key Highlights
- Sergei Krikalev’s Record: During this mission, Krikalev broke the record for the most cumulative time spent in space, surpassing the previous record held by Sergei Avdeyev. By the end of his career, Krikalev had spent a total of 803 days in space across six missions.
- International Collaboration: Soyuz TMA-6 demonstrated continued cooperation between Russia, NASA, and the European Space Agency (ESA), contributing to the ongoing success of the International Space Station as a collaborative global effort.
More Soyuz Missions
The Soyuz 11 Mission
The Soyuz 11 mission is one of the most tragic yet historically significant in the history of human spaceflight.
The Soyuz 1 Mission
The first crewed mission ended in tragedy with the death of cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov due to parachute failure.
The Soyuz 19 Mission
Soyuz 19 is best known for its participation in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) in 1975, which was a historic moment in the Cold War era.
The Soyuz T-10-1 Mission
The Soyuz T-10-1 mission, launched in 1983, is remembered not for its success in space, but for the dramatic rescue of its crew.
The Soyuz 4 and 5 Missions
Soyuz 4 and 5 were the first successful docking of two crewed spacecraft in orbit. They were launched in 1969 and docked in orbit.
